'This is what is called a ''fact''': Top congressman slams Trump ahead of Russia hearing

Rep.
Adam Schiff, the California Democrat who is the ranking member of
the House Intelligence Committee, talking to reporters about the
committee's investigation into Russia's involvement in the US
election, on Capitol Hill on March 7.AP Photo/Cliff Owen

The ranking Democratic congressman on the House Intelligence
Committee quickly hit back at President Donald Trump's
Monday-morning claim that hearings into his campaign's ties to
Russia were "FAKE NEWS."

Schiff also chided the president for his unsubstantiated claims
that President Barack Obama tapped the phones at Trump Tower
before the election, as well as for White House statements that
Schiff said had "collateral damage" with the US allies Britain
and Germany.

"There is circumstantial evidence of collusion,"
Schiff told Todd on "Meet the Press."

"There is direct evidence, I think, of deception and that's where
we begin the investigation."

FBI Director James Comey and National Security Agency Director
Adm. Mike Rogers
are set to publicly testify Monday about their investigations
into possible links between Russia and Trump's campaign as part
of the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into
allegations that Russia meddled in the US election.

"James Clapper and others stated that there is no evidence Potus
colluded with Russia,"
Trump tweeted Monday morning. "This story is FAKE NEWS and
everyone knows it!"

In follow-up tweets, the president claimed Democrats "made up and
pushed the Russian story" to explain Democratic nominee Hillary
Clinton's loss in the presidential election, and he called on
Congress and the US intelligence community to look into
classified-information leaks. Trump also questioned why Congress
was not investigating the Clinton campaign's alleged ties to
Russia.

Here are Schiff's tweets from Monday morning:

Mr. President, the Russians hacked our election and interfered. No one disputes this now, but you. This is what is called "fact". https://t.co/izJhR5xRrf